Above it states that work history must be recent and you must have enough work time in your history. The Social Security Administration uses a credit system to determine if one qualifies for benefits under SSDI. Depending on your income level you earn credits within a given year. If at a certain age you have enough credits through your work history you can qualify for SSDI benefits.

How Does the Social Security Administration Determine Disability?

The Social Security Administration has established a Five-Step Evaluation process to determine whether a person is disabled. If a person fails to meet the requirements of any one step, they are determined to be “not disabled” under the Social Security Act.

Do You Need An Attorney to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Without an attorney, you will have no one there to walk you through the different steps of the disability appeal process. The first stage of the appeal process is called the Request for Reconsideration stage. Fewer than 20 percent of appeals are approved at this stage of the claim process. The next stage of appeals, which almost all denied applicants must go through, is called a Social Security Disability hearing.

When you attend your Social Security Disability hearing you will be appearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Most applicants should have legal representation during this stage of the appeal process. This is where you will have your greatest chance of overturning the Social Security Administration’s decision to deny your disability benefits. Nearly two-thirds of appeals are won at the disability hearing.

The Social Security Filing and Appeal process is very complex and if you don’t know the ins and outs of the process it could hurt your case. Please, call toll free at 1-800-444-5309 for a free consultation. We have offices in Scranton, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg and will travel to you.